The Works

Morocco Three Ways: The Parisian

Daniel had never visited the country, and neither had his travel companions, Adrienne and Lisa. Morocco was a place they could explore for the first time, together.

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His first impression was of chaos and movement.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Pieruzzini (@nadmotion)

Photo courtesy of Daniel Pieruzzini (@nadmotion)

Marrakech was harsher than their other two destinations, but Daniel was surprised by how quickly they adapted to the crazy environment of the medina. In no time at all, they began to understand how everything moved and where they fit into it all.

They quickly began to appreciate the Call to Prayer and the way it echoed beautifully through the city five times per day. These moments were quiet compared to the normally frenetic nature of the city. It was overwhelming at times, and they often escaped to rooftops or other silent spots around the city when they were in need of a break. After all, relaxation was only a cup of mint tea away.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Pieruzzini (@nadmotion)

A train ride later, they were in Chefchaouen — the blue city.

Blue in color, but in way of life, too. Time passed slowly. Children played in the streets — streets without names, all various shades of the same color. It was calming.

An old man led Daniel to his home, where they shared tea and talked about the man’s life. Though he couldn’t give the man anything, it was enough that Daniel simply listened to his story. A passing moment that never faded from his memory.

And just when they thought they’d gotten good at orienting themselves among the old medinas in Moroccan cities, they arrived in Fes.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Pieruzzini (@nadmotion)

Photo courtesy of Daniel Pieruzzini (@nadmotion)

They chose a guide and scheduled visits to artisan workshops in Fes, tucked away in the maze of thousands of unnamed streets and alleyways. Scarf workshops and leather tanneries and carpet operatives and woodworking studios. They couldn’t help but bring home some evidence of their trip. This city was the roughest, but that edge gave it the biggest heart.

The trio moved at their own pace — taking breaks for mint tea, stopping for 15 minutes without complaint when someone wanted to try to photograph a wall in a way that was just right, eventually developing their own sort of language. A way of communication that only comes when you’ve discovered a good friendship.

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Everything in Morocco was different.

A place disconnected from the rest of the world, always changing and moving, full of unexpected, rich details. Somehow, Daniel found comfort in the chaos.